Transport lift



INVENTOR. FREDEmcK F. SUTHERLAND 4 Sheets-Sheet l ALVlN a. STOREY.

ATTO R N EYE F. F. SUTHERLAND ET AL TRANSPORT LIFT Sept. 9, 1952 FiledFeb. 2, 1949 INVENTOR.

K F. SUTHERLAND.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2- FREDERkQ BY ALvm B. STOREX.

A T TO R N EYS Sept. 9, 1952 F. F. SUTHERLAND ET AL TRANSPORT LIFT FiledFeb. 2, 1949 Sept. 9, 1952 F.' F. SUTHERLAND ET AL 2,609,954

TRANSPORT LIFT Filed. Feb. 2, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 M v m Ts H mm w n 1.m A

ATJTO R N Evs Patented Sept. 9, 1952 TRANSPORT LIFT Frederick F.Sutherland and Alvin B. Storey; Cumberland, Md., assignors to GelaneseCorporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application February2, 1949, Serial No. 74,188

.6 Claims.

This invention relates to transport lifts, and relates more particularlyto transport lifts adapted to permit the packages of yarn carried by atransport to be inspected without being removed from the transport.

Packages of yarn are normally moved from point to point in textileplants on transports comprising a framework mounted on wheels andprovided with several rows of pins or spindles on each side thereof forreceiving and supporting the packages of yarn. The usual inspection ofthe yarn packages before shipment is often effected while the packagesare on the transport. However, since several of the rows of packages ofyarn on a transport are below eye level, it has heretofore beencustomary, during this inspection, to remove the packages of yarnindividually from the transport, examine them, and wrap them forshipment or return them to the transport. As is readily apparent, alarge amount of labor is required to carry out an inspection in thismanner, and the possibility is ever present that the yarn will bedamaged by additional handling.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an apparatuswhich will permit of the inspection of the packages of yarn on atransport without the necessity of the manual handling of the yarnpackages.

A further object of this invention is to provide a transport lift whichwill raise a transport so that the several rows of packages of yarnthereon are successively positioned at eye level and may be examined fordefects without removing them from the transport or otherwise manuallyhandling the same.

Other objects of this invention, together with certain details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description and claims.

In accordance with our invention, we provide a transport lift which willraise a transport so that the several rows of packages of yarn thereonare successively at eye level. This permits the packages of yarn to beinspected for defects without being removed from the transport. Afterthe transport has been raised to the maximum height required to inspectall the packages of yarn on one side thereof, it may be rotated throughan angle of 180 degrees, permitting the packages of yarn on the otherside thereof to be inspected as the transport descends.

A preferred embodiment of our invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of atransport lift embodying our invention showing a transport in operativerelation thereto,

Fig. 2 is a view in section, taken on line 22 in Fig. l in the directionof the arrows, showing the manner in which the base of the transport ispositioned with respect to the transport lift,

Fig. 3is a front elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of the liftingassembly of the transport lift shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the lifting assembly shown in Fig. 3, i

Fig. 5 is a view in section, on an enlarged scale, taken onthe line 5-5in Fig. 4 in the direction of the arrows, showing the manner in whichthe lifting beams are fastened together,

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the lifting assembly shown in Fig.3, and

Fig.7 is a wiring diagram of the control circuit of the transport lift.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2thereof, the reference numeral 1 l designates an overhead beam to whichan electric hoist i2 is fastened by means of a bracket 13. The electrichoist I2 operates tackle l4 passing through a pulley block 1 5, whichpulley block is secured to a lifting assembly. indicated generally byreference numeral [6. The lifting assembly 16 comprises equalizing rodsll to which is fastened an upper lifting beam indicated generally byreference numeral l8. A rotatable lower lifting beam, indicatedgenerally by reference numeral I 9, is fastened to the upper liftingbeam IB, and is provided at its ends with lifting hooks, indicatedgenerally by reference numeral 2i.

The lifting assembly l6 may be raised and lowered as desired byoperation of the electric hoist l2, and is guided during said motion bypipe rails 22 and 23 which pass through sleeves 24 and 25, respectively,fastened to the upper lifting beam [8. Adjustable stops 26 and 21fastened to the pipe rails 22 and 23, respectively, limit the downwardmotion of the lifting assembly 16 to position the lifting hooks 2|properly with respect to a transport, indicated generally by referencenumeral 28. As a safety measure, the upper lifting beam [8 carries adownwardly extending arm 2 9 which operates a limit switch 3| to cut offthe power supply to the electric hoist [2 when the lifting assembly 16has been lowered to the proper position.

The transport 28 comprises a base 32 mounted on casters 33, and tubularframe members 34 which are adapted to be engaged at their upper ends bythe lifting hooks 21. Between the frame members 34 there are a number ofshelves 35,-

transport 28 is moved under the lifting assem-.. bly [5, the rear cornerof the base e2 will strike the guide 39 and direct said base into firmcontact with the guides 31 and 38. The guide 37 is also provided with aflange ii extending at a slight angle with respect thereto, which serves'to a guide the transport 28 into the opening between the guides 31 and39 for the proper positioning of the transport with respect to theliftingassem bly l6.

Turning now to Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawings in which the construction ofthe lifting assembly I6 is shown in detail, it will'be seen that theequalizing bars H are fastened together at their upper end by means of abolt 42; on the bolt 42 between the equalizing bars ll serve to center asleeve 44 to which is secured a bolt 5 for fastening the liftingassembly it to the pulley block 15.

The upper lifting beam i8,.which comprises a 1 web 46 provided withflanges ii, is fastened be-.

tween the lower ends of the equalizing bars if by means of stub shafts58 that are held in posi'-,

web 46 centrally of the ends of the upper liftingbeam It by means ofscrews 53. The lower lifting beam 59, which comprises a web 5eprovidedwith flanges 55, is mounted for rotation on the king pin 52, with theweb 54 resting on a ball bearing 56 held in position by a nut 57!.

Stub shafts 58, to which the lifting hooks 2! are keyed", are journalledin plates 59 fastened to the flanges of the lower lifting beam l9. Axialmotion of the shafts 58 is prevented by collars 6i and E2 fastened tosaid shafts adjacent the flanges 55 with set screws 83 andii i,respectively. The lifting'hooks 2| which are free to swing in a verticalarc are spring pressed downwardly by means of torsion springs that'encircle the shafts 58. One end of each of the torsion springs 65 isfastened to the web 55 with screws 66, and the other end thereof is heldunder tension by collars 6? that are adjustably fastened to'the shafts58 with set screws 68. Air cushions 69 fastened to the collars 6! bybolts 70 and to the flanges 55 by bolts I! restrict the action of thetorsion. springs 65 on the hooks 2i, permitting stronger and morepositive spring with softer contact of said hooks on the transport frame34.

Means are provided for holding the hooks 2! ina horizontal position,when they are raised, said means comprising rods 12 which engage lugs F3on the collars 62. The rods :2 are slidably supported inbrackets l4 and15, fastened to the flanges 55' of the lower lifting beam #9, and arespring pressed in the direction of the lugs '53 by means of helicalsprings it. The rods 72 move in the direction of the lugs 73 untilcollars if moun ed on said rods strike the brackets l5. A hand lever 18mounted on the rod 72 is employed for manually withdrawing said rod fromthe lug l3, allowing; the torsion springs 65 to rotate the hooks Sleevesas mounted 4 2! to a vertical position in contact with the frame members34 of the transport 23. When the hooks 22 are in contact with the framemembers 34, the

switch operating fingers 78, whose function will be described in detailbelow, will be actuated.

To prevent inadvertent rotation of the lower lifting beam I9, a pulltype solenoid 8: is mounted by means of a bracket. 82 on the web 56 ofthe upper lifting beam it. Plunger 83 of the solenoid 8! passes throughan aperture 84 in the web 45 and engages an aperture 85 in the web 54 ofthe lower lifting beam it thus locking said beam in position. Straps 8 6whose ends 31 are bent downwardly are mounted on the web 54 to raise theplunger 83 clear of said web when the lifting beams are rotated relativeto each other and are approaching a parallel position. For smootheroperation, the solenoid 81 is counterbalanced by 1 means of weights atfastened to the upper lifting beam 48. To prevent the operation of theelectric hoist if when, the lifting beams 58 and I9 are not inparallelism, a pair of brushes 89 are slidably mounted in insulatingbushings 55 which extend through the web 65 symmetrically of the kingpin 52. The brushes 89 are pressed down, wardly by means of conductingsprings 91 which are located in the bushings 9i and are held in positionwith fiber plugs 82. The springs ill bear against the heads of screws$33 that pass through the fiber plugs 92 permitting electrical contacttobe established with the brushes 89. During the rotation of the lowerlifting beam $3, the brushes S9 ride in a fiber ring 94. When thelifting beams 58 and is are brought into parallelism, the

.' brushes 8!; make contact with screws Q5 that extend through the web54-, being insulated therefrom by means of fiber bushings 95.

In operating the transport lift for the examination of yarn packages,the lifting assembly is; is normally in its lowermost position at thestart, with the upper lifting beam [8 resting on the stops 26 and 27 andwith the safety switch 35 open. The lifting hooks iii to the operatorsright are raised until the lug 73 engages the rod 12 to hold said hooksin horizontal position. .A transport 28 having been moved under thelifting assembly l5, and directed into the desired posi-' tion by guides31, 38 and 39, the handle 78 is operated todisengage the rod l2 from thelug l3 permitting the spring 65 to. rotate the hooks 2i into engagementwith the frame members 34 of the transport. When the hooks 2| areproperly engaged, the switch operating lingers i9 will close contacts 97in the hooks '2! which are connected in series with each other. If, whenthe contacts 97' are all closed, the brushes 89 are in contact with thescrews a current will flow from the lines 98 and 99 through a relay IE9which will operate a solennoid iii! to close a switch iGZin line I63 tomotor starter Hi4 connected to the electric hoist E2 in conventionalmanner; Simultaneously, a pilot light I55 will be energized indicatingthat the transport lift is ready for operation.

Push button switch I06 is then closed causing the motor starter N34 tooperate the electric hoist l2 raising the transport 28. As the transport28 moves upwardly, the operator inspects the packages of yarn carried bythe pins .36 on each of of 180 degrees until the plunger 83 rides up theend 81 of the rod 86 and engages the aperture 85 on the opposite end ofthe lower lifting beam it. During the rotation of the transport 28, thebrushes 89 will be out of contact with the screws 95 and it will beimpossible to operate the electric hoist l2 until the lifting beams areagain in parallelism. Push button switch I08 is then closed causingtheniotor starter I04 to operate the electric hoist I2 to lower thetransport 28. During this descent, the packages of yarn on the otherside of the transport 28 are inspected. When the transport reaches thefloor, the hooks 2| to the operators right are raised until the lug 13engages th rod 72 to hold said hooks in horizontal position. At thispoint, the transport maybe removed from the transport lift and anotherinserted in its stead. The entire operating cycle is then repeated.

A push button switch I09 is provided in parallel with the solenoidoperated switch I02 to permit the transport lift to be operated in theevent of an emergency without a transport 28 in position on the hooks2i, and with the lifting beams l8 and I9 not in parallelism.

It will be readily apparent that the transport lift of this inventionpermits of a large number of packages of yarn to be inspected in a shorttime with perfect safety, without undue handling of the same and with aminimum of labor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is givenmerely by way of illustration and that many variations may be madetherein without departing from the spirit ing beam, a rotatable lowerlifting beam carried by said upper lifting beam, a plurality of liftinghooks mounted on said lower lifting beam, means, operative only whensaid upper and lower lifting beams are parallel to each other, forraising and lowering said lifting beams and automatically operatingmeans for locking said lower lifting beam against rotation when inparallel relation to said upper lifting beam.

2. A transport lift comprising an upper lifting beam, a lower liftingbeam rotatably suspended from said upper lifting beam, a plurality oflifting hooks mounted on said lower lifting beam, means, operative onlywhen said upper and lower lifting beams are parallel to each other, forraising and lowering said lifting beams and automatically operatingmeans for locking said lower lifting beam against rotation when inparallel relation to said upper lifting beam.

3. A transport lift comprising an upper lifting beam, 2. lower liftingbeam rotatably suspended from said upper lifting beam, a plurality oflifting hooks mounted on said lower lifting beam, means, operative onlywhen said upper and lower lifting beams are parallel to each other, forraising and lowering said lifting beams, automatically operating meansfor locking said lower lifting beam against rotation when in parallelrelation to said upper lifting beam and means carried by said liftinghooks and operable by said transport for permitting the raising andlowering of said lifting beams only when said lifting hooks are inpredetermined engagement with said transport.

4. A transport lift comprising an upper lifting beam, a lower liftingbeam rotatably suspended from said upper lifting beam, a plurality oflifting hooks mounted on said lower lifting beam, means, operative onlywhen said upper and lower lifting beams are parallel to each other, forraising and lowering said lifting beams, means carried by said liftinghooks and operable by said transport for permitting the raising andlowering of said lifting beams only when said lifting hooks are inpredetermined engagement with said transport, spring means for urgingsaid lifting hooks into operative position and manually operable meansfor holding said lifting hooks in inoperative position.

5. A transport lift comprising an upper lifting beam, a lower liftingbeam rotatably suspended from said upper lifting beam, a plurality oflifting hooks mounted on said lower lifting beam, means, operative onlywhen said upper and lower lifting beams are parallel to each other, forraising and lowering said lifting beams, automatically operating meansfor locking said lower lifting beam against rotation when in parallel reation to said upper lifting beam, means carried by said lifting hooksand operable by said transport for permitting the raising and loweringof said lifting beams only when said lifting hooks are in predeterminedengagement with said transport, spring means for urging said liftinghooks into operative position and manually operable means for holdingsaid lifting hooks in inoperative position.

6. A transport lift comprising an upper lifting beam, a lower liftingbeam rotatably suspended from said upper lifting beam, a plurality oflifting hooks mounted on said lower lifting beam, means, operative onlywhen said upper and lower lifting beams are parallel to each other, forraising and lowering said lifting beams, automatically operating meansfor locking said lower lifting beam against rotation when in parallelrelation to said upper lifting beam, means carried by said lifting hooksand operable by said transport for permitting the raising and loweringof said lifting beams only when said lifting hooks are in predeterminedengagement with said transport, spring means for urging said liftinghooks into operative position, manually operable means for holding saidlifting hooks in inoperative position and guide means for positioningsaid transport with respect to said lifting hooks.

FREDERICK F. SUTHERLAND. ALVIN B. STOREY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 682,175 Condict Sept. 10, 1901992,307 Weickel et al May 16, 1911 1,446,331 Brakeley Feb. 20, 19231,682,078 Hanlen Aug. 28, 1928 1,767,525 Hoffman June 24, 1930 1,834,499Richter 1 Dec. 1, 1931 2,014,807 Keyzer Sept. 17, 19-35 2,247,144Baldwin June 24, 1941

